Previous reports indicated that Academy Award-winning actor Robert DeNiro (who helmed the film version back in 1993) would direct the musical, though his involvement is not included in the audition notice.

The 1993 crime drama 'A Bronx Tale' was set in The Bronx during the turbulent era of the 1960s. It was the directorial debut of De Niro and follows a young Italian-American teenager as his path in life is guided by two father figures, played by De Niro and Chazz Palminteri. It was written by Palminteri, based partially upon his childhood. The film grossed over $17 million domestically in the box office.